EFFECT OF SODIUM STEARATE (NAST) ON AIR FRESHENER TRANSPARENCY

Sodium Stearate (NaSt) is produced in Stabilchem (M) Sdn. Bhd. via the fusion process
between palm-based Fatty Acid (FA) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). NaSt has a
multitude of applications ranging from lubricating agents in wire drawing to
emulsifying agents in the food industry. NaSt is also beginning to be used as a gelling
agent in gel-based air fresheners. It is required that the NaSt used in the air freshener
produce a translucent gel. In order to fulfill this industrial requirement, NaSt has to be
tested for its performance in gel-based air fresheners. To do this, samples of NaSt with
different chemical and physical properties are used to produce air fresheners. The air
fresheners produced are then measured for transparency. The object of this project is to
study the effect of chemical and physical properties of NaSt on gel air freshener
transparency and to recommend the optimum NaSt parameters to be used in air
fresheners. For this project, only the NaSt produced by Stabilchem (M) Sdn. Bhd. were
used. To measure the gel transparency, a spectrophotometer called Hunter Lab Meter
was used. Only three parameters were studied in this project, namely the effect of Free
Fatty Acid (FFA) value and moisture content of the NaSt as well as the heating
temperature when producing the air freshener. All the sample analysis laboratory test
methods are that as stated in Stabilchem's Quality Control department. The air
freshener formulation used was provided by a client of Stabilchem under confidentiality
and trust. Therefore, the detailed formulation is not provided in this report. Among the
components in the air freshener are D-Limonene, NaSt, Nonyl phenol and ethanol.
After conducting this investigative project, it was found that gel air freshener
transparency decreases slightly with increasing FFA values. The moisture content of
NaSt has insignificant effect on gel transparency. Last but not least, gel transparency
decreases as heating temperature is increased. From these findings, it can be concluded
that Stabilchem's NaSt are capable of producing air freshener gels with satisfactory
clarity as long as its chemical and physical properties are within the specifications set
by the QC department. To ensure that the gel producedis always clear, the air freshener
should be produced in a clean and dry area. Additives such as fragrance and colour can
cause cloudiness. Therefore, compatible colouring and fragrance should be used in
correct amounts to preserve the clarity ofthe air freshener gel.